Club condolences to family of Tommy Dixon

Ashington FC have sent condolences to the family of Tommy Dixon, a former defender, who sadly passed away last week.

Dixon - who also served Gateshead and Blyth Spartans - was part of the Colliers squad which reached the semi final of the old FA Amateur Cup in 1974 before losing 3-0 to Bishops Stortford after a replay at Brentford. Jimmy Harmison who was a member of the Ashington reserves side at the time said: “In 1974, I was a 20 year old and when centre half Billy Blair got injured, I made my debut for the first team playing alongside Tommy. He was an excellent player - and a great bloke to play alongside – and was certainly one of the best defenders that played Northern League football.”

He continued: “I was named as number 12 for the semi final against Bishops Stortford which was staged at Sunderland’s old Roker Park ground and in that era, teams could only name one substitute. The game went to a replay and I remember when our goalkeeper - the late Eddie Nesbitt - dislocated his shoulder, Tommy took over in goal. He will be sadly missed.”